The Stone Circle

DCI Harry Nelson has just received an enigmatic note from someone about a stone circle.  It brings back memories of a past case, yet seems to have been written by someone who knows him and is known to be dead.  He talks to his friend Dr. Ruth Galloway about it.  The following Sunday morning there is a bag on his front step with another note and a small stone in it.

Out at a dig Ruth is surprised to find that it is supervised by the son of her former mentor. Shortly after leaving, she is called back because bones have been discovered.  It doesn’t take her long to realise that they are the bones of a child and that they are recent.

Two weeks later, DNA evidence helps identify the bones as belonging to a twelve year old girl who had gone missing over thirty years earlier.  Shortly afterwards Ruth receives an enigmatic letter, in this case about the body she had excavated.  Nelson is sure that the letter has come from the same person who sent his.

Who is the threat coming from?  Author Elly Griffiths slowly builds up the tension in this murder mystery including another and a baby abduction.  Naturally there is much mystery regarding stone circles including one across the country.  Griffiths leaves the reader on the edge of their seat before releasing the tension.  A very good quick read.

Shadow of the Raven

Dr. Thomas Silkstone has been refused the opportunity to see Lady Lydia Farrell at Bethlem Hospital, better known as Bedlam, where she has been forcefully confined by her late brother’s guardian, Sir Montagu Malthus.  Before he can do anything about it he is called to Oxford to investigate a murder at Boughton Estate.

In Oxford, Silkstone learns that Malthus has requested an Act of Enclosure for Boughton Estate.  The surveyor working on the survey has been shot.  Malthus has enforced a curfew on those living on the estate until the killer is found.  Sir Theodisius Pettigrew wants Silkstone to perform an autopsy on the victim.  Silkstone discovers that the victim had been shot by a small calibre pistol, not the usual weapon of brigands.

Silkstone decides that it is important that he visit the sight of the killing in Raven’s Wood.  He is warned off, however proceeds ahead anyway. 

Back in London, he is shocked at what has become of Lydia in Bedlam.  He is told that he is the one who signed her into the hospital, however he knows that Malthus ordered a forgery of his signature.

Meanwhile in Brandwick, the village associated with Boughton, things are starting to get out of hand, and in London Lydia has been transferred out of Bedlam, but Silkstone has no idea where.  Then news arrives that Lydia has died.

Is Silkstone’s life now also at an end now that his beloved is dead?  Author Tessa Harris’ novel about the times of the Act of Enclosure is intense, and revealing.  The wealthy had the power, and the government behind them.  The weak and disenfranchised had nothing but their faith and belief on their side.  Some things never change.  A thoroughly enjoyable read, and hard to put down.  I immediately ordered the next and last book in the series from the library.

Perfect Death

DI Luc  Callanach has been called out in the early morning hours to where a body of a naked young woman has been found at Arthur’ Seat.  Not long after this, DCI Ava Turner is called out to a suicide, which is her mentor, DCI George Begbie.  He had recently suffered a heart attack.  Could that have brought about his suicide?  Pathologist Ailsa Lambert shows Turner a couple of mysterious initials on his wrist.  What’s the meaning behind them?

Not long after this an informer’s car is involved in a bloody accident, however there is no body at the scene.  When Turner checks on the informer’s business, she discovers that it has been ransacked.  The following Monday, Turner meets with Begbie’s widow and finds out that Begbie has a pile of cash stashed away in the attic?  Had he gained it by gambling or some other illegal means?

Callanach had planned on taking leave after some shocking news from his mother, however when Lambert informs him that his victim had ingested a very strong cannabis oil, and that her death could very well be murder he changes his mind about his leave.

Afterwards Callanach is called by Begbie’s informer.  A meeting is arranged, but when Callanach arrives he finds the informer dead in unique circumstances.  That same night Turner has a confrontation with a couple of rogues intent on getting something from Begbie’s house.  She barely comes out the winner.  Scratches on Begbie’s wrist convince Turner that he didn’t commit suicide.

Moments after Begbie’s funeral, Callanach is at the hospital because a doctor wants to discuss a suspicious death.  A well known philanthropist has died as a result of taking a powerful diet drug.  Having spoken to the family, the doctor is sure that the drug was administered without the victim being aware.

As the cases progress, Turner decides to switch responsibilities with Callanach in the hopes that new eyes will find solutions.  Author Helen Fields’ novel is brutal in the ferocity of the killings.  Death hovers over both Turner and Callanach, not just for themselves, but also for those that they care about.  This is an intense read, yet thoroughly enjoyable for those fans of murder mystery thrillers.

Rome's Fallen Eagle

A. D., January 24 - Rome.  Caligula has been assassinated by his guard.  Who will become the new emperor, or will the senate decide to go back to being a republic?  However, it is the Praetorian Guard that makes the decision.  Claudius is chosen to be the new emperor and the senate is forced to swear allegiance.

The real power behind Claudius lies with the freedmen Narcissus, Pallas and Callistus.  The first is foremost amongst the triumvirate.  It is also Narcissus that orders Vespasian and his brother, Sabinus, to the Rhenus frontier and to retrieve the lost eagle of the Seventeenth Legion.  It is a near impossible task.

Vespasian’s new command is the Second Augusta.  However, it is a cavalry cohort of Batavians that Vespasian will take in search of the lost eagle. After they cross the river, they find that their men are being picked off. Who, but three men back in Rome would know of the mission?  Which of them is it?

Fortunately for Vespasian, they end up receiving help in their quest.  But, will they achieve their goal or will someone else get the eagle?

Vespasian’s and Sabinus’ next assignment is to be part of Plautius’ invasion of Britain.  Vespasian will keep command of the Second Augusta, while Sabinus is to be legate of the Fourteenth.  However, what’s to be done when the whole army refuses to embark?  It is only when the Eagle of the Seventeenth is presented to Plautius by Narcissus that the mutiny is quelled.

How successful will the invasion be?  Author Robert Fabbri’s fiction is based on historical writings with a twist to make it more readable and interesting.  There are plenty of battles and political intrigue and treachery, all which seemed to be the norm of the time.  This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to reading the sequels.

Striking Murder

DS Michael Brennan has been called into Wigan Borough Police Station early on a Sunday morning in the winter of 1893.  Captain Bell tells him that Arthur Morris had been found murdered in the wee hours.  Morris was a colliery owner, which was one of many suffering from a five month miners’ strike.  The colliery owners were threatening to bring in blackleg workers.  However, the main question is, what was Morris doing in that part of town at night?

Several days on, and no suspects in sight, Brennan and DC Jaggery leave the pub into a foggy night.  Each goes his separate way, but Brennan is followed and attacked.  Left for dead in the cold, it is fortunate that he was found by a thief who knew him and got him to the infirmary.  Will this set back the investigation?

Author A. J. Wright’s murder mystery is based on a time of an actual strike/lockout.  The killer can’t be allowed to get away with killing, however it is going to take a resolute mind to find the killer.  Brennan’s steadfast gathering of evidence will put the killer behind bars, but not without a few surprises.  A good quick read.

Tell Nobody

DI Lottie Parker has just walked into the station when she hears a teenager enter behind her.  The girl, who is covered in blood says, “I think I killed him.” and then collapses.  The doctor in emergency tells Parker that the girl had recently given birth.

Not long after this, Lottie’s son, Sean and a friend, discover the body of a baby in the canal while fishing.  Later in the day, a group of kids discover the body of a boy near a clubhouse.  When the boy is identified, realisation sets in that he was from the same estate as the girl who had given birth, but had now escaped from the hospital.

The following morning another body is discovered.  It’s another young boy in similar circumstances to the previous victim.  Autopsies on the boys show that they had been abused.  Did the abuser kill them?

Author Patricia Gibney’s fifth book in this series is fast paced and an attention grabber.  She presents plenty of suspects with a surprising conclusion.  This thriller is hard to put down and is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Beneath the Surface

DS Ray Lennon knows that he is taking his own life into his hands when he is informed by DCS Sean McGuinness that he has to bring DI Tom Reynolds back from holiday.  A man has been murdered inside Leinster House in Dublin.  The victim is an important advisor to the government.

When IT access the victim’s computer, disturbing images are found on it.  They include the victim’s boss, who is a government minister tapped to become the leader of the party.  In addition, the woman the victim worked with seems to have disappeared.

DS Laura Brennan discovers an unmentioned access to the building on the building’s plans.  Could the killer have used it unnoticed by people working in the building?  The number of suspects increases.

Author Jo Spain’s thriller is full of suspects, but can Reynolds pin it on anyone in particular.  There’s no evidence pointing to one particular suspect.  How will he and his team solve this particular killing?  Spain’s thriller is a very good read, and it was hard to put down.  I’m sure other fans of this genre will concur.